Week 2: Math and Art

Before this week lessons I had a very small idea of how math and art go together. I started to think how if art was to be linked together with math what could happen. I realized that even at most practical level mathematical tools have always been used in the creation of art. If you go back in time its clear that tools like compass and straightedges have been used to build great buildings like the pyramids, cathedrals, and Mosques.  Math and art are entwined and most great artifacts in the history of this world have been done through the combination of Art + Math.

                              Figure 1: This is a drawing of the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx as depicted in 1610, showing European travelers Tompkins, Peter. Secrets of the Great Pyramid. NY: Harper, 1971. p. 22

This Giza pyramids were built 2584 BC. This great architecture is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. For how long ago these pyramids were built, they have been in good shape till this day. Casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface covers the pyramids, and what is seen today is the underlying core structure. This shows that geometry was big impact in the building of these pyramids, showing that math and art has always been one.

                       
                            Figure 2: The Great Mosque of Djenné

This hand built Mosque is considered by many architects to be one of the greatest achievements of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style. This building is also one of the ancient buildings in the world. Some historian’s belief it was built in the 13^th century but this was completed in 1907. T The mosque is built on a platform measuring about 75 m x 75 m (245 ft x 245 ft) that is raised by 3 meters (9 ft) above the level of the marketplace. This mosque was built with great measurement to help prevent for events like floods.  Math again was used during this time to help make sure the Mosque was suitable for prayers. This great building till this day is still strong and standing.  

                           figure 3: The Coliseum

Emperor Vespasian initiated this building in 74 AD.  It took 8 year to build and was built on a flat area in a valley. Its 189 meters long, 156 meters and is located in Rome, Italy and is It was mostly used for Gladiator contests, but was also used for drama, animal hunting and executions. Its total spectator capacity was roughly around 45,000-55,000 in number. This building is one of the oldest buildings in the world. Art and math has always been together as Luca Pacioli once said  “Without mathematics there is no art.” These great architecture shows that with math and art together everything is possible.

Citation 

"Geometry in Art & Architecture Unit 2." Geometry in Art & Architecture Unit 2. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

"Great Mosque of Djenné." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

"Ancient Buildings of the World." Ceylon Institute of Builders Ancient Buildings of the World Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

"Quotes Related to Phi - Phi 1.618: The Golden Number." Phi 1618 The Golden Number. N.p., 13 May 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

"Art for a Maths Department." The Aperiodical. N.p., 29 Apr. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.